Proverbs 16
16
1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.#Pr 16:9; 19:21
2All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs motives.#16:2 Lit spirits#1Sm 16:7; Pr 17:3; 19:21; 21:2
3Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.#Ps 37:4–5
4The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —
even the wicked for the day of disaster.#Ex 9:16; Rm 9:21–22
5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;#2Ch 32:25; Pr 6:16–17; 8:13
be assured,#16:5 Lit hand to hand he will not go unpunished.#Ps 101:5; Pr 11:21; 16:18
6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,#Dn 4:27; Lk 11:41
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.#Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 14:16
7When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.#2Ch 17:10
8Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.#Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16–17; 16:19; 28:6
9A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.#Ps 37:23; Pr 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; Jr 10:23
10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;#16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king#2Sm 14:17,20; 1Kg 3:28
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.#2Sm 23:2–3; Pr 18:14–15
11Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.#Lv 19:36; Pr 11:1; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,#Pr 31:3–5
since a throne is established through righteousness.#Ps 101; Pr 25:5
13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.#Ec 10:4
15When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
it is preferable to silver.#Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 22:1
17The highway of the upright#Is 35:8 avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.#Pr 2:11–13; 15:19
18Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.#Pr 11:2; 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37; Ob 3–4
19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble#16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted#Pr 29:23; Is 57:15
than to divide plunder with the proud.#Ex 15:9; Ps 37:16; Pr 1:13–14; 15:16–17; 16:8
20The one who understands a matter finds success,#Pr 19:8
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.#Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5; Jr 17:7
21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech#16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips increases learning.#Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23
22Insight is a fountain of life#Pr 10:11; 13:14; 14:27 for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.#16:23 Lit learning upon his lips#Ps 37:30; Pr 1:5; 9:9; Mt 12:34
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb:#Ps 19:10; Pr 15:26
sweet to the taste#16:24 Lit throat and health to the body.#16:24 Lit bones#Pr 4:22; 15:30; 25:13
25There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.#Pr 14:12; 24:20
26A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger#16:26 Lit mouth urges him on.
27A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.#Pr 6:12; 19:28; 26:23; Jms 3:6
28A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.#Pr 6:14,19; 17:9; 26:20–21; 28:25
29A violent person lures his neighbor,#Pr 1:10
leading him on a path that is not good.#1Sm 12:23; Ps 36:4; Pr 28:10
30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.#Ps 35:19; Pr 6:12–14; 10:10
31Gray hair is a glorious crown;#Lv 19:32; Pr 4:9; 20:29
it is found in the ways of righteousness.#Pr 3:1–2
32Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions,#16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit than capturing a city.#Pr 25:15,28; 29:11
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.#Pr 16:1; 19:21; 21:31
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Proverbs 16: CSB
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